She wants either a rabbit or a guinea pig....which one do you think is better?
2007-02-24 03:54:28 · 31 answers · asked by bbnicole104 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Rabbits are sooo cute and guinea pigs are noisy at night becouse they are nocternal and they are kinda ugly (no offense) but I had rabbits when i was little and I loved them I would deffanetly get a little bunny!
Oh and the person above was right bunnys do live longer my friend got a guinea pig and it died of old age and she only had it like 1 or 2 years!
Good luck!
2007-02-24 04:02:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Well, you didn't specify how old you or the friend is, but let me go ahead and say that if you are young and still under your parents' care, then I think it would be more responsible to speak to the friend's parents first. It would be very sad if you gave your friend an animal as a gift and the parents did not want pets and end up making her give it away.
Another possibility is that you're unaware of allergies that run in the family. Just because your friend doesn't have allergies, one of her family members may and it could prove disastrous or God forbid, fatal.
If you're given the green light of acceptance by her parents, then I personally suggest a guinea pig. While both need plenty of exercise, rabbits are in need of far more than guinea pigs are. If your friend ends up having to stay away for longer than usual, a guinea pig can maintain itself while a rabbit may become stressed and accidentally harm itself.
As far as any other basics such as housing, feeding, watering and basic maintenance is concerned, they both need the same things. The amount of exercise needed and the type of food eaten are really two of the most important concerns.
2007-02-24 04:02:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't!
Pets are a very personal thing and requires long-term commitment. It would be so much better for your friend and the yet-to-be-found pet if you could give her a gift certificate to a nearby pet shop so she can look at them all and choose her own.
While she may have a guinea pig or rabbit on her mind, she might get to the pet shop and see a ferret or pair of hamsters she would rather have. If the pet shop doesn't offer gift certificates, get a general idea of what guinea pigs and rabbits cost at the store and then give her that amount in a card that tells her it is to purchase her new pet with.
Perhaps other friends could get items for the pet-to-be such as alfalfa cubes, water bottle, bag of cedar shavings, bottle of animal vitamins and food dish. All these items will suit whichever animal she decides on.
2007-02-24 06:37:42 · answer #3 · answered by amishpantry 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's not about what we think is better. It's about what she thinks is better. Furthermore, a pet makes a terrible gift, especially if it's a surprise. Talk it over with her parents and make sure they're prepared to handle a pet in the home, and nuts to surprises. Talk to her. Ask her what she wants because if she knows and is prepared, she can choose an animal herself and if you take her to a breeder or store with you, she can choose the one she wants.
If she's not prepared for the animal and you just throw one at her, how will she be able to care for it responsibly? That being all of the vet care, dietary needs, housing needs, exercise needs, mental stimulation, socialization, etc. Also make sure she knows exactly what she's getting into, like the commitment of that animal's decade and more long lifetime and that she knows what she needs. It's horrible to receive a pet you know nothing about and it sucks to be left scrambling for research after you've already gotten the pet. The animal will definitely suffer if the owner is lacking in knowledge. Pets are not just cute, cuddly decorations; they have very specific needs that have to be met by potential owners.
Best thing: ask her.
2007-02-24 04:00:12 · answer #4 · answered by PinkDagger 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My suggestion is NOT to buy her a pet. Buying pets for other people generally is not a good idea. I have never seen an instance in which a gifted animal received a sufficient amount of care/affection since the recipient is not always prepared for the task of pet ownership.
Owning a pet is a serious commitment, not a frivolous birthday gift. Buy her a CD or something instead. Let her make the decision of whether or not to buy a pet. Dumping a pet on her isn't fair to her or the animal.
2007-02-24 03:58:47 · answer #5 · answered by xoil1321321432423 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If she has alot of room, indoors and out. then you might get her a rabbit. They need outdoor space and don't like to be caged up all the time. Also they need to be in shelter from the weather elements. They also have a longer life then the guinea pig. So if she has a short attention span and might get tired of caring for a rabbit all the time then get her the guinea pig. They don't mind being in the cage, and are easier to care for. My suggestion would be guinea pig. Rabbits are alot of work.
Another suggestion is to get one from a shelter, like the humane society. alot of those kind of animals get over looked in a shelter. people tend to get them on a whim and they end up being to much work and they give them up. The animals at the shelter are usually vaccinated and fixed so she won't have that extra expense to worry about. they usually come with everything you need like a cage and stuff.
But I do agree with the other that say an animal is not a very good gift. They are a lot of responsibility. Does she have the money to buy it the supplies it needs? To pay for vet bills? theres a lot to think about.
2007-02-24 04:05:32 · answer #6 · answered by Peace 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Are you 100% sure you want to do that? It's generally considered a bad idea to give a pet (or anything else that requires serious maintenance ... like a bonsai tree) as a gift. I'm not sure of your friend's age or status, but this is especially true if she's living at home with her parents, who may be saddled with much of the care-taking. If she's older and has roommates, they may have allergies, or resent the smells and late-night nibbling noises. Then, what if the pet you buy dies a week later? There are so many ways that this can go wrong, so you may want to reconsider... sorry if I'm a downer.
2007-02-24 04:00:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would say either, because some rabbits are more like little dogs but they need more exercise than a guinea pig. But guinea pigs are mainly friendly and some of them really get to know their owners so I would say either guinea pigs usually need a friend so it is best to get 2 of them where as rabbits might fight with a friend.
I would let your friend pick out her own pet because certain people are attracted to the animal they would like as a pet.
I have guinea pigs and rabbits so I like both.
Good luck :)
2007-02-24 04:30:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
go with the guinea pig. they have less of a tendancy to bite than a rabbit does.
2007-02-24 08:25:42 · answer #9 · answered by MommyCaleb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy her a Nintendo Wii. Don't buy her a living animal as a gift. Unless she is totally on board with the idea and is willing to care for and love this animal for the next 10+ years, then she does not need to get a living creature as a gift.
2007-02-24 04:34:23 · answer #10 · answered by LizzieH 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋